Accelerator depressor



April 7, 1964 s. c. FAGAN 2 ,7

ACCELERATOR DEPRESSOR Filed NOV. 2, 1961 IN VEN TOR.

SEGAR C. [-7 041v United States Patent 3,127,787 ACCELERATOR DEPRESSOR Segar C. Fagan, 4111 54th St., Bladensburg, Md. Filed Nov. 2, 1961, Ser. No. 149,552 1 Claim. (Cl. 74-532) This invention relates generally to automotive vehicles and more specifically to devices for controlling the accelerator of a vehicle.

One object of the present invention is to provide an accelerator control having self-contained means for depressing an accelerator pedal and maintaining the pedal in depressed position for a period of time. Thus, the present device can be used for warming up an engine faster without the necessity of the motorists presence to maintain a foot upon the accelerator.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an accelerator pedal depressing device which can be used for recharging of the battery of the vehicle by means of idling the engine at a rapid rate without needing the motorists presence to maintain a foot upon the accelerator.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an accelerator pedal depressing device having adjustable means whereby the idling speed of the engine may be varied as desired.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide an accelerator pedal depressing device having adjustable means to accommodate the device upon various kinds of vehicles wherein the brake pedal may be closer to or further from the accelerator.

Other objects of the present invention are to provide an accelerator pedal depressing device bearing the above objects in mind which is of simple construction, has a minimum number of par-ts, is inexpensive to manufacture and efiicient in operation.

For other objects and for a better understanding of the present invention reference may be had to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the present invention mounted upon an accelerator pedal and a brake pedal of an automobile;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view partly in cross section showing the internal structure.

Referring now to the drawing in detail, the numeral represents a depressing device for an accelerator pedal according to the present invention wherein there is a longitudinal body 11, of cylindrical configuration having a longitudinal extending threaded opening 12 therein at one end of said body and a longitudinally extending counterbore 13 at the other end of the body. A shaft 15 extends through the body 11 and is provided with a threaded portion 14 which is threadedly engaged in the said opening 12. Adjacent the threaded portion 14 is a crank 16 having a handle 17 which can be manually operated by a persons hand. At the opposite end of the shaft 15 is a swivel 18 comprising a ball 19 integral with the end of the shaft, the ball 19 being held captive in a socket 20, afiixed to which socket 20 is an element 21, the hook or clamp element 21 being made preferably of fiat spring steel and having a passage 22 within which one end of an accelerator pedal may be received.

It is to be noted that the body 11 is provided with an uniform, smooth outer cylindrical surface 23. A trans- 3,127,787 Patented Apr. 7, 1964 versely extending post or tubular member 24 in slidable engagement with the body 11 is provided with a sleeve portion 25 at one end. The sleeve portion 25 has an internal bore 26 extending therethrough, the bore 26 having a diameter equivalent to that of the body 11. The sleeve is free to slide longitudinally along the body and may be fixed in position relative thereto by means of a set screw 27 which is threadedly engaged in the sleeve 25 and is in position to bear against the cylindrical surface 23. The post 24 has a longitudinally extending central opening 28 within which there is slidably engaged a rod 29; the rod 29 may be fastened in fixed position relative thereto by means of a set screw 30 which is threadedly engaged in the post or tubular member 24 and the end of the set screw 30 bears against the rod engaged therein.

The rod 29 extends transversely to the body 11 and extends outside of the opening 28 in the post 24. At the outward end of the rod 29 is a swivel 31 comprised of a ball 32 affixed to the outer end of the rod and a socket element 33 within which the ball 32 is held captive. Affixed to the swivel 31 is a clamp element 34 made preferably of flat spring steel. The clamp element 34 has a pair of jaws 35 between which is a passage 36 for embracing the brake pedal 38.

As shown in FIG. 1 of the drawing, the clamp 21 is engaged over the upper free end of the accelerator pedal 37 and clamp element 34 is engaged over brake pedal 38.

In operation, the device is attached as shown in FIG. 1 after the engine has been started. The motorist then turns the crank 16 until the desired idling speed of the engine is attained, in which position the present device will retain the accelerator at proper idling speed without need for the motorist to be present. it is to be noted that in some automobiles such as those having power brakes the brake pedal is closer to the accelerator pedal. Accordingly, the adjustment of the post 24 relative to the body 11 and the rod 29 within said post has been provided, as shown in the construction in FIG. '2 of the drawing. It is to be further noted that the crank construction, as shown, can be readily substituted with a knurled nut element, if desired, during the manufacture of this invention.

While various changes may be made in the detail construction, it shall be understood that such changes shall be within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claim.

What I claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent of the United States is:

A device for depressing a pivotally mounted accelerator pedal to an adjustable extent relative to a brake pedal disposed laterally thereof, comprising a spring clamp fitting on the tree end of said accelerator pedal for attaching the device thereto, a threaded shaft connected to said clamp through a ball and socket joint to permit universal movement of said shaft with respect to said clamp, means for rotating said shaft at the end thereof remote from said joint, a cylindrical body provided with an internal threaded bore in engagement with said threaded shaft to effect longitudinal movement of said body in response to the rotation of said shaft, an adjustable post extending laterally from said body towards said brake pedal comprising a tubular member having a sleeve at one end thereof for adjustable mounting along said body, a rod extending from the opposite end of said tubular member and provided at its free end with a second spring clamp for attachment to the brake pedal, a ball and socket joint interconnecting 3 said second clamp and said'rod for universal movement, a set-screw on said sleeve for fixing the position thereof along said body and a second set-screw on said tubular member for fixing the position of said rod thereon, so that rotation of said shaft efiects a depression of the free end of the accelerator pedal to any desired degree.

681,390 Elwell Aug. 27, 1901 Cowdrey Dec. 4, 1923 Herbert et a1 Aug. 17, 1926 Cowdrey Jan. 25, 1927 Evans et al Dec. 6, 1938 Seeler Sept. 4, 1951 Beckman July 21, 1953 Barrett Dec. 23, 1955 Reynolds et a1 Jan. 3, 195 6 Morsoh May 29, 1956 Christner Feb. 9, 1960 

